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iamjustjess's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Minor: Animal death
miak2's review
emotional
5.0
I'll be honest, I found this book hard to read at times (and, no, not just because of its emotional ending). But I think that *why* I felt frustrated with this book is precisely what makes it done so well. At the height of his intelligence, Charlie was not a very likeable person. Additionally, sometimes the writing style wasn't that engaging to me...but again, it was written from the perspective of someone significantly more intelligent than myself. Honestly, really amazing writing. I felt connected to Charlie throughout the book but also felt towards him what outsiders did - warm and friendly pre-surgery and frustrated and distant post-surgery.
That ending though, wow. I really felt Charlie's emotions and his struggle to hold onto himself. Incredibly emotional and really well done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual content
witchhenrietta's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
nila's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely heartbreaking. So simple, but really powerful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse and Forced institutionalization
Recurring segments of outdated ableist language, both from the main character and side characters. Some of its in "scientific context", I guess, for a book written in the 60s, but it is very uncomfortable to read the R-word used to casually
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